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Press Release

2/25/2013

Contact: CFO Atwater’s Press Office (850) 413-2842TALLAHASSEE – Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced today the launch of Financial Frontlines, a new website to provide information and resources to help Florida’s 58,000 military servicemembers fight back against financial fraud and debt. Financial Frontlines is being released in collaboration with Military Saves Week, which begins today and continues through Saturday.

Financial trouble has been cited as the number one threat to servicemembers’ security clearance, and a recent report by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority found that nearly 27 percent of military families have at least $10,000 in credit card debt. Military Saves Week, which runs concurrently with Florida Saves Week, encourages military servicemembers and their families to save money and reduce their debt to build a solid financial future.

“Military servicemembers are well trained to protect our nation, but they may not be prepared for the financial risks they may also face,” CFO Atwater said. “Just as they are committed to protecting us, I am committed to protecting our brave servicemen and women from financial fraud and predatory lending.”

Major General Emmett Titshaw, the Adjutant General for the Florida National Guard, said he is grateful for the attention being given to Florida’s servicemember needs. “We applaud our state’s efforts to improve our servicemembers’ financial security. This recognition of the sacrifices our service men and women are making is appreciated.”

In addition to releasing the new website, the Department of Financial Services will provide financial presentations at military bases that are hosting Military Saves Week activities. Topics will include identity theft, credit scoring, budgeting, predatory lending and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

The Financial Frontlines website includes online training presentations that can be accessed individually or for large training groups. Other online resources provided by CFO Atwater and the Department of Financial Services include Your Money Matters, On Guard for Seniors and an OnDemand Library in addition to the CFO’s toll-free Consumer Helpline at 1-800-My-FL-CFO (1-800-693-5236), available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to answer questions and complaints relating to 26 lines of insurance.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government; reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses and providing transparency and accountability in state spending.